This is a great achievement for Mrs. Cropper, who is widely admired for her dedication not only to her country but also to the global community, through her involvement with a range of international organizations.

In an interview reported by the Trinidad and Tobago Express, Mrs. Cropper said she was glad for the opportunity to serve the nation and the public interest and was humbled by the opportunity.

Along with her husband, the late John Cropper, Mrs. Cropper set up the Cropper Foundation in 1992 to promote a range of important social and environmental issues and causes, including support for young Carribean writers, promoting equity in public policy and encouraging environmental education and sustainable natural resource management.

At the international level, Ms. Cropper’s distinguished record includes co-chairing the Assessment Panel of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, membership of the World Commission on Forests and Sustainable Development, Chair of the Board of Trustees of Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development in Guyana, and of course, Chair of CIFOR’s Board of Trustees, among many others.

Everyone at CIFOR congratulates Mrs. Cropper on becoming an Independent Senator and commend her for setting such a fine example of good global citizenship.

Ms. Cropper was appointed an Independent Senator on 19 January 2005.